Outlet-box.



M. ROBNSON.

OUTLET Box.

APPUCATON FILED UGhS, 1912. ppQl' Patented May 25, 1915.

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THE NORRIS PETERS CO., PHoTo1 ITI-lr 7.4 WASHINGTON. D. C

lVIINER ROBINSON, 0F NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

OUTLET-BOX.

Specification of' Letters Patent.

Patented May 25., 1915.

Application filed August 8, 1912. Serial No. 714,012.

T0 all 'whom t may concern Be it known that I, MINER ROBINSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newton, county of Middlesex, and State vof Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Outlet-Boxes, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like characters on the drawing representing like parts.

rThis invention relates to outlet boxes and particularly to those which are provided with a central opening to fit over the gas piping of a building which is piped for gas. In the process of constructing a building which is both piped for gas and wired for electricity, it is customary for the gas tters first to place the piping in the partially-completed building and to close by removable caps the protruding ends of the gas piping wherever fixtures are to be applied. After the gas litters are through with their work, the electrician comes onto the job and wires the building and places the outlet boxes in position, these outlet boxes usually being inserted over the projecting ends of the gas pipes. It is a requirement of the underwriters that the outlet boxes which are used in connection with gas piping should be electrically bonded on or connected to the gas piping. If the opening through the outlet box is only large enough to slip the gas piping, then the walls of said opening will engage the pipe and thus furnish the necessary bonding action, but with this construction the outlet box can only be put in position over the gas pipe by first removing the cap from the projecting end thereof. It is, however, contrary to the requirements of the gas authorities in some localities to permit electricians or persons other than licensed gas litters from removing this cap, and it is, therefore, very desirable to provide an outlet box which can be put in place over the end of the gas pipe without moving the cap and which when in place can be bonded to the gas pipe so as to meet the requirements of the underwriters.

My invention aims to provide an outlet box and the like having a novel bonding element which is adapted to engage the pipe with a. wedging action, and further to provide an outlet box having a construction which permits it to be set into place over the capped end of the gas pipe without removing the cap and in which the bonding element acts not only to bond the box to the pipe but also to seal the space around the pipe, all as will hereinafter more fully be described and claimed.

In order to disclose the principle of my invention I have illustrated in the drawing a selected embodiment thereof, but I wish it understood that the invention is not limited to the constructional details shown.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a face view of an outlet box embodying my invention showing it clamped to the pipe; Fig. 2 is a rear view thereof; Fig. 3 is a section on the line Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the clamping member in inoperative position and showing the box in the condition in which it is received by the electrician ready to be placed over the gas pipe; Fig. 5 is a section on the line L -a, Figs. 2 and 3; Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6, Figs. l and 7 Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the outlet box showing the pipe-receiving aperture therethrough and the seat for the clamping member; Fig. 8 is an underside perspective view of the clamp ing member; Fig. 9 is a plan view of the outlet box showing the condition in which it is shipped.

3 designates an outlet box which may have any suitable or usual construction with the exception of the pipe-receiving aperture and the clamping means for clamping the box to the gas pipe, and l designates a pro jecting end of gas piping over which the outlet box is inserted, said piping being closed by the usual cap 5. If desired the outlet box 3 may be secured to the backing board 6 by means of screws 7 in usual manner. The outlet box is provided with conduit-receiving openings 8 through which the conduit leads into the box. As stated above, the gas pipe 4: is'sealed with its cap 5 by the gas fitter at a time during the building operations prior to that at which the electrician puts the outlet box in place and wires up the building, and the requirements in some localities are that the outlet box shall be of such a nature that it may be put in place and bonded to the pipe to make a good ground connection therewith without removing the cap 5 from the pipe. It is also a requirement in some localities that the open space around the pipe shall be closed or sealed. To meet these requirements I CTI make the outlet box3 with a pipe-receiving aperture 9 which is large enough to receive the cap 5 freely and which is preferably formed eccentrically .of the outlet fbox, vas seen in Fig. 2. When the aperture 9 Ais thus situated eccentrically one wall 10 thereof will preferably be situated at a distance from the center of the box substantially equal to the radius of the pipe 4, .so that when the pipe is clamped against the Wall 10 `the .pipe and outlet :box will be situated concentrically of, each; other. `This yconstruction permits y.the outlet :box ato Abe lplaced over gthe capped endof the .pipe y4, and l.then to be brought into position concentrically of the pipe. The outlet .-box pis bonded to the pipe by rmeans vof a bonding member 12 which `can be moved toward and from the opening 9 preferably rin a .radial direction and which is provided with means whereby when .itis in bonding position :it will be clamped against the pipe 4 with a .wedging action. As herein shown Athisbonding member 12 isprovided with .a concave pipeengaging face 13, and with *lips 14 at opposite .edges .which rest .on .the flange 15 that surrounds the opening 9. Said bonding member is .also provided `with a tongue -1`6 which .is adapted .to slide pack and forth in a slot i 17 formed the outlet lbox, said tongue and slot operating toguide `the bonding member :in its movement toward Aand fromthe pipe. The outlet box is lalso provided vwith the projections .18 which are provided ,with the' inclined faces 19, said projections constituting a rest for the bonding member when it isy in its inoperative -posi'- tion and the inclined faces 19 thereof cooperating with the bonding member to .secure thewedging action ofthe latter against the pipe, all asV will be further hereinafter described. I

The outlet box is also provided with the inclined faces 2.0 which coerate with wedgingv faces on 4the .bonding member to assist in securing thislwedging action. The bonding member "is made thicker at its inner end, as l*shown at 21, and one side :of this thicker portion v21 forms the pipe-engaging face 13, while the opposite sideis provided with hthe inclined faces 22 which coperate with the inclined faces 2O on the outlet box.` The rear edge 23 of the thinner portion of the bonding member coperates with the inclined faces 19 and is preferably inclined.

When the bonding member is withdrawninto its inoperative position the thickened portion 21 rests on the sur` aces `24 of the outlet box at either side of the slot 17, and the thinner or 'tail end of the bonding member rests on the projections 18, as seen in Fig. 4; The vbonding member is provided with an .aperture 25 to receive a clamping bolt 26 which is preferably in the nature of o an ordinary stove bolt. This screw 26 carries a nut 27 which is coniined in an elongated recess or groove 28 formed in the Yback side of the outlet box, the walls 29 of said groove preventing the nut fromturnking. The head of the clamping screw 26 is provided with a screw-driver slot so that the clamping member may be tightened or loosened from the front by the use of a ,screw-driver. The bonding member is also provided with a projection v30 which is adapted to enter anotch 31 formed in the flange of ftheoutlet box when said bonding member is in inoperative position and which erative or ,outward position, as shown in y Figs. 4 and 9, with the underside of the thickened portion y21 resting on the surfaces 24, and the rear of the bonding member resting on the `projections 18 and with the `projection 30 occupying the slot 31.V The clamping screw 26 is tightened so as to hold ,the parts firmly in position. This is the way theoutlet box is received by the electrician, and yin placing it in position he merely inserts it over the capped end 5 of the pipe `and `-then shifts it so as to vbring the pipe against the wall 10. Thereafter he merely loosens the clamping screw 26 by means of a screw-driver and then moves the vbonding member radially into engagement with .the pipe. lNhen the bonding member is thus in engagement with the pipe the inclined surfaces 22 of said mem ber engage the inclined surfaces 2O of the i lSince the bonding member 12 has a con# struction which permits it to be firmly clamped against the pipe it would be possible to support the outlet box in position without attaching it to the vback-board 6, for if the pipe 4 is lirmly sustained the outlet box will be rigidly held in position by the clamping .or wedging action of the combined clamping and bonding member 12.

The two parallel clamping surfaces 22, 23 on the bonding member and the coperative parallel clamping surfaces 20, 19 on the outlet box coperate to hold the bonding member in proper position. It will be noted that the surfaces 19, 23 are at a greater radial distance from the center than the surfaces 20, 22, and by means of this construction the bonding member is held in parallel relation and is prevented from tipping up on one end or the other while it is being clamped in position. I also desire to call attention to the fact that the combined clamping and bonding member 12 has such a construction that it seals or closes the opening around the pipe a when it is in clamping position, as shown in Fig. 1. This member is, therefore, a sealing member for the aperture 9 as well as a bonding member.

One function of the projection 30 is to close the rear end of the slot 17 when the member 12 is in its clamping position. Referring to Fig. 1 wherein the slot 17 is shown in dotted lines, it will be seen that the outer end thereof extends beyond the face 23, but this extending end is sealed or closed by the projection 30.

Vfhile I have illustrated herein the preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the constructional features shown or in any way except as by the appended claims.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Iatent is 1. An outlet box and the like having an eccentrically located pipe receiving aperture which is normally of a size to permit the capped end of a pipe to be passed therethrough, and one side of which is situated so that when said pipe is resting thereagainst said pipe will be concentric relative to said box, and a clamping and bonding member slidably sustained by the outlet box for movement toward and from said aperture and having a shape substantially to close the portion of the aperture not occupied by the pipe.

2. An outlet box and the like having a pipe-receiving aperture which is normally of a size to permit the capped end of a pipe to be passed therethrough, and a bonding member slidably sustained by said outlet box for movement toward and from the aperture and having a shape substantially to close or seal when in bonding position the portion of said aperture not occupied by the pipe.

3. An outlet box and the like having a pipe-receiving aperture which is normally of suiiicient size to permit the capped end of a pipe to be passed therethrough, and a one-piece bonding member shaped substantially to close when in bonding position the portion of the aperture not occupied by the pipe` a. In an outlet box and the like having a pipe-receiving aperture and two separate wedging surfaces situated at different distances from said aperture, of a bonding member adapted to engage said surfaces and be clamped thereby against the pipe.

5. The combination with an outlet box having a pipe-receiving aperture and two wedging surfaces situated at different distances from said aperture, of a bonding member to engage said surfaces, a pipe inserted through the aperture, and means situated between said surfaces to force the bonding member against the wedging surface, thereby to clamp it against the pipe.

6. The combination with an outlet box having a pipe-receiving aperture of a size sufficient to receive the capped end of a pipe and also having two wedging surfaces situated at different radial distances from said aperture, of a bonding member to engage said surfaces, and a clamping bolt located between said wedging surfaces to force the bonding member against the surfaces thereby to clamp it against the pipe with a wedging action.

The combination with a pipe, of an outlet box having a pipe-receiving aperture through which said pipe passes and which is sufficiently larger than said pipe to receive the capped end thereof, and a combined clamping and sealing member to engage the pipe and substantially seal the portion of the aperture not occupied by the pipe.

8. The combination with a pipe, of an outlet box having a pipe-receiving aperture through which said pipe passes and which is sufficiently larger than said pipe to receive the capped end thereof, and a combined clamping and sealing member adapted to clamp the pipe against one side of said aperture and substantially to seal the portion of the aperture not occupied by the pipe.

9. The combination with a pipe, of an outlet box having a pipe-receiving aperture through which said pipe passes and which is sufliciently larger than said pipe to receive the capped end thereof, and a one-piece combined clamping and sealing member adapted to clamp the pipe against one side of the aperture and substantially seal the portion of the aperture not occupied by the pipe.

10. The combination with an outlet box having an eccentrically-arranged aperture which is normally of a size to receive the capped end of the pipe, one wall of the aperture being situated so that when the pipe is placed thereagainst said pipe will have a concentric relation to the box and an eccentric relation to the aperture, of a clamping member to clamp said pipe against said wall of the aperture. Y

11. rIhe combination with an outlet box having an eccentrically-arranged aperture which is normally of a size to receive the end of the pipe, one wall of the aperture being situated so that when the pipe is placed thereagainst said pipe will have a concentric relation to the box and an eccentric relation to the aperture, of a clamping member to clamp said pipe against said wall :las

of the aperture, said clamping membervbeing of a size and shape to seal the space around the pipe. Y

l2. The combination With an outlet box having a pipe-receiving aperture, of a clamping member slidable toward and from the aperture and meansfor clamping said member against the pipe, said box and clamping member having cooperating means separate from the clamping means to guide the inember in its sliding movement.

13. The combination with an outlet box having a pipe-receiving aperture and a slot extending radially therefrom, of a clamping membei1 slidable longitudinally of the slot and having a laterally-extending finger to enter the slot.

14;. The combination With an outlet box having a pipe-receiving aperture and avradially-extending slot, of a clamping member slidable longitudinally of the slot and having a laterally-extending finger to enter said slot, and a clamping bolt extending through the clamping member and slot.

l5. The combination With an outlet box having a pipe-receiving aperture and a plurality of Wedging surfaces situated at dierent radial distances from the aperture, of a clamping member adapted to engage said surfaces and maintained in parallel relation thereby. y

16. The combination With an outlet bo-x having a pipe-receiving aperture and a Wedging surface, of a bonding member adapted to engage said surface and havingl a laterally-extending finger at its pipe-engaging end, and means to force the bonding member against said Wedging surface thereby to clamp it against said pipe, said finger providing an extended pipe-engaging surface.

17. The combination With an outlet box having a pipe-receiving aperture and a Wedging surface, of a bonding member adapted to engage said surface and having a laterally-extending finger at its pipe-engaging end, Which finger extends through the aperture, and means to force the bonding member against the Wedging surface thereby to clamp said fingeragainst the pipe.

18. The combination With a pipe, of an n outlet box having a pipe-receiving aperture into which said pipe passesl and Which is sufiiciently largervthan said pipe to receive the capped end'thereof, and a bonding member slidably sustained by said outlet box for movement toward and from the aperture and having a shape substantially to close the portion of said aperture not occupied by the pipe. Y

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

. v MINER ROBINSON.

Witnesses LOUIS C. SMITH, THOMAS J. DRUMMOND.

Y Copies of this patent may be obtained for tive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

l Washington, D. G. 

